“Whosoever wishes to know about the world must learn about it in its particular details. Knowledge is not intelligence.
In searching for the truth be ready for the unexpected.
Change alone is unchanging. The same road goes both up and down. The beginning of a circle is also its end. Not I, but the world says it: all is one. And yet everything comes in season.”
- Heraklietos of Ephesos
Effective training
Designing training
Effective training begins with the design process, which needs to be grounded in adult learning principles, as well as a clear sense of the needs of the learners and their learning styles.
Adult learning principles top^
Overview of Adult Learning Principles
An outline of the motivational, learning design, and training delivery issues in maximizing the success of adult learners.
Dorothy Riddle, Service-Growth Consultants Inc., Copyright 2008, linked 09/10
http://www.servicegrowth.net/documents/Overview of Adult Learning Principles.net.pdf
Principles of Adult Learning
An excellent overview article on how adults learn best, discussing their special needs and requirements as learners and giving practical suggestions.
Stephen Lieb, About.com, linked 09/10
http://adulted.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=adulted&cdn=education&tm=16&gps=120_6_1020_588&f=21&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/adults-2.htm
Learning styles top^
Analytical and Sequential Learning Styles
Excellent brief summary of the differences in learning styles, with practical suggestions for the learner.
Grace Fleming, About.com, linked 09/10
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/analytic.htm
Learning Styles - Global and Analytical
Excellent summary of the differences between global and analytical thinking and the implications for how people learn.
Grace Fleming, About.com, linked 09/10
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/studyskills.htm
Learning Styles: Holistic or Global Learning
Excellent comparison of holistic and global learning styles.
Grace Fleming, About.com, linked 09/10
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/global.htm
Mulitple Intelligence Types
Excellent overview of the eight types of intelligence, which can help trainers in designing training activities.
Grace Fleming, About.com, linked 09/10
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/learningstyles/ss/multiple.htm
Training design examples top^
Creating a Syllabus
Excellent sample of how to approach creating a course syllabus linked to the goals, learning objectives, instructional activities, and performance requirements of a specific course.
Park University Faculty Resources, linked 09/10
http://www.park.edu/cetl/quicktips/syllabus.html
Sample Academic Course Syllabus
An extemely well-organized course syllabus for an in-depth practically and academically based course following adult education principles with both team and individual work as well as engagement with real community organizations.
Jesus Ramirez-Valles, University of Illinois at Chicago, linked 09/10
http://www.spiritof1848.org/Community%20Organizing%20for%20Health%20.pdf
Write the Syllabus
A sample of how to structure a syllabus.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 09/10
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/syllabus/index.html
Training design principles top^
Articulate Your Learning Objectives
A good summary of how learning objectives drive training design.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 09/10
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/learningobjectives.html
Factors in Skill Acquisition
Describes the three factors - perceptual awareness, discretionary judgement, and skillful practice - necessary in acquiring a new skill.
Dorothy Riddle, Service-Growth Consultants Inc., Copyright 2008, linked 09/10
http://www.servicegrowth.net/documents/Factors in Skill Acquisition.net.pdf
Identify Appropriate Instructional Strategies
Identifies eight instructional approaches and links each one to types of learning objectives in order to assist instructors in effective course design.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 09/10
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/instructionalstrategies.html
Learning Domains or Bloom's Taxonomy: The Three Types of Learning
An excellent summary of the three types of learning - cognitive, affective, and psychomotor - and the implications for training design.
Performance Juxtaposition Site, linked 09/10
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/bloom.html
Plan Your Course Content and Schedule
Tips for structuring the sequence and timing of training material in multi-session courses.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 09/10
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/contentschedule.html
Theory and Research-Based Principles of Learning
An excellent summary of eight basic principles of effective learning.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 09/10
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/principles/learning.html
Writing Quality Learning Objectives
An excellent how-to for writing learning objectives (often called performance objectives or competencies) that are brief, clear, specific statements of what learners will be able to perform at the conclusion of instructional activities.
Park University Faculty Resources, linked 09/10
http://www.park.edu/cetl/quicktips/writinglearningobj.html
Training needs assessment top^
Recognize Who Your Students Are
Although this excellent overview is written for college instructors, its content applies to many training contexts.
Carnegie Mellon University, linked 09/10
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/yourstudents.html